Hittin' the books!!

Well, after almost one year of waiting and praying, we finally recieved the phone call offering me a position in the masters program for Occupational Therapy at BELMONT UNIVERSITY in Nashville, TN. We made our first visit to the campus last June and have been waiting to hear from my application ever since. No, we're not moving to Nashville! This is a distance learning program with online coursework and regularly scheduled visits to the campus for clinical application and labs followed by extended internships. I know what you are thinking - what in the world is he doing taking on a distance learning, travel program at the same time they are having a baby!! Well, it's not the ideal schedule, but God has a plan for us all and sometimes we just have to take it when He gives it. It will be a challenge, yes; but I am not the first nor the only person that has done this so with God's help, your prayers, and my family's support - we'll make it!

We are very excited about this endeavor and the visits to Nashville. It is a great place with lots of sights and sounds - should we get the chance to take advantage of some extended stay, mini-vacations. Generally, my visits there will be consumed by class time, but we hope to have the occasional "fun trip" thrown in there, too. Thankfully, I shouldn't have to travel every weekend, though!!

Belmont has a beautiful campus (photo: historic Belmont Mansion) and is home to lots of excitement including the CMT Music Awards, a Presidential Debate (this October), and some successful almuni such as country music star, Josh Turner, and previous season Americal Idol finalist, Melinda Doolittle. As we criss-crossed the campus trying to find our way around we happened upon "Melinda Doolittle Way" which had been named and dedicated during that year's Top 3 show when filming her return to Belmont and Nashville." We're huge Idol fans and loved Melinda during her time on the show so that was a small, unexpected treat for us "tourists".

The really exciting part of this journey will be the technology and opportunities that Belmont will afford me. The Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences & Nursing is housed in the new, state-of-the-art Gordon E. Inman Center (left). As we toured the building, Marti and I were just in amazement at all of the offerings and amenities.


Classes start this fall so wish me luck and keep our family in your prayers during this adventure!!